In 1459 William Hobbayne surrendered in his lifetime a house and some 22 acres of land to be used for the poor and needy of the parish of Hanwell. In 1484 this land became the basis of the Charity.

Very little is known about the Charity during this period apart from a Court at Greenford Manor in 1573 decreeing that the lands were for the use of the Parishoners of Hanwell to maintain the Church and to relieve the poor of the Parish.

In the 1700's records show that the majority of money was given for apprenticeship fees, money for clothing and aid in sickness. In 1744 the Charity also started to give money so the poor could have fitting burials and in 1773 the Charity starts to help people with food or food vouchers with a mention of monies 'given to the poor in bread'

In 1781 the Trustees used £30 per annum to support a charity school for 24 poor children of the parish. In 1798 the Charity spent £5 on inoculating the poor against small pox.

In this time the Charity continued to support people by way of apprenticeships, clothing and food. From the 1840's onwards the Charity started to distribute money for fuel, such as vouchers for coal. 

The Charity starts to be regulated by a Scheme of the Charity Commisioners.

1922 meadow land at Billets Hart is turned into allotments for the community and in 2012 the Community Gardens are created as a growing space for Hanwell residents.

Purchased and re-opened the former Salvation Army Citadel in St Dunstan’s Road as a community resource, renaming it the William Hobbayne Centre.  The Centre has raised the profile of the Charity and become a focus for caring and activity in the community.  Groups who use the Centre include Dementia Concern and Hanwell Neighbourly Care, plus many others providing social activities and events for all people and all ages.